The HiLux is a longstanding success story for Toyota in Australia, but has recently been eclipsed by the Ford Ranger. In this week's episode of the Hook Turn podcast, we discuss whether a makeover finally means that the HiLux can live up to its 'High Luxury' nameplate.

Renault has been on fire recently with a series of stylish, award-winning EVs, including the new Renault 4 and 5. While these are still forbidden fruit (for now), we discuss whether the launch of the new Scenic EV can help with an uptick in sales for the storied French brand.

Finally, we conclude with some news that Ford has ostensibly run out of aluminium to build the F-150 Lightning EV. But is that really the case?

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn podcast, we discuss Toyota hinting at the return of the (shock horror) sexy new Prius in Australia. Meanwhile, Mazda claims it has developed a carbon capture device for its cars that can help recycle tailpipe emissions. Finally, we do another iteration of the Carsales challenge. This time, heavy-duty off-roaders under $20k.

Show notes:

- Toyota Prius: https://www.drive.com.au/news/toyota-prius-back-under-study-for-australia-in-surprise-return/

- Mazda carbon capture: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/mazda-testing-carbon-capture-exhaust-tech-that-stores-co2-in-a-tank

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn podcast, we discuss Toyota's retro-tastic, baby LandCruiser FJ, and whether it can successfully take on rivals such as the Suzuki Jimny. We then talk about Honda, and question their product planning nous in importing the tiny new Super-One EV but (still) not selling the funky new hybrid Honda Jazz in Australia. Finally, we move on to what you need to consider when figuring out how far your EV can really drive.

Show notes:

- LandCruiser FJ: https://www.drive.com.au/news/2026-toyota-landcruiser-fj-revealed-but-australia-to-miss-out-on-smaller-4wd/

- Honda Super-One: https://www.honda.com.au/news/2025/honda-super-one

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss BYD's latest attempt to bring EVs to the masses, with the $25k Atto 1 and its slightly larger sibling, the Atto 2. For the same price, however, you can also park a large luxury SUV in your driveway, and we take our pick from used options available on Carsales.

We also talk about Mazda relying on Chinese expertise to finally launch a usable EV, the 6e, as a Tesla Model 3 rival in the Australian market.

Show notes:

- BYD Atto 1: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/2026-byd-atto-1-full-specs-detailed-for-new-pint-size-ev

- BYD Atto 2: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/2026-byd-atto-2-full-specs-detailed-for-budget-electric-small-suv

- Mazda 6e: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/mazda-6e-china-made-ev-confirmed-for-australia-with-tesla-rivalling-price

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn podcast, we discuss the best time to sell your car. We also talk about centuries, namely Mercedes looking back about a century for for design inspiration, and Toyota finally deciding to break out its Century model into a brand ready for the 21st Century.

Show notes:

- Mercedes Vision Iconic: https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/design/concept-cars/vision-iconic/

- Toyota repositions the Century: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a69061978/toyota-century-positioned-above-lexus/

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn podcast, we discuss Mitsubishi's sudden Francophile turn in sourcing the all-new ASX. We also cover rumours of a potential tie-up regarding two of the most iconic cars that Toyota and Mazda currently sell, before Vivek goes on a bit of a rant about his first experience sitting inside a Rolls-Royce.

Show notes:

- New Mitsubishi ASX: https://goauto.com.au/new-models/mitsubishi/asx/13k-price-hike-for-new-mitsubishi-asx/2025-10-01/97527.html

- Mazda MX-5 and Toyota GR86 tie-up: https://www.forbes.com/sites/peterlyon/2025/09/28/toyota-and-mazda-team-up-to-develop-new-mx-5-and-gr86/

Is it a ute? An SUV? A luxury EV? In this week's episode of the Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss Deepal's claim to have a vehicle that can be all three at once - the E07 Multitruck. We also discuss Porsche's EV about-face, and take a literal trip down memory lane to choose our pick of (relatively) affordable classic cars under $30k.

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn podcast, special guest Shana Zlotin joins the show to chat about her new website, Drive Thru Media.

Confused by jargon? Shana talks about how she's making it easy to choose your next car, one green (and red) flag at a time.

Show notes

- Check out Drive Thru Media at https://drivethrumedia.com.au

- Instagram: @drivethru_media

- TikTok: @drivethru_media

Thank you Shana and Drive Thru Media!

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn podcast, we breathe a huge sigh of relief as Audi returns to its senses with the Concept C. We also discuss some forbidden fruit, Renault's new Clio, and go back down memory lane to have a look at our favourite driving roads.

Show notes:

- Audi Concept C: https://www.audi.com/en/innovation/design/striveforclarity/

- Renault Clio: https://www.drive.com.au/news/renault-clio-revealed-in-sixth-generation-blurring-lines-between-hatch-and-suv/

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss the production reveal of BMW's (new) Neue Klasse model, the iX3. We then turn our minds to Honda's sexy new Prelude, before rounding off with stories of our first cars.

Show notes:

- BMW iX3 (Neue Klasse): https://www.goauto.com.au/future-models/bmw/ix3/ix3-is-bmw-rsquo-s-first-neue-klasse-model/2025-09-08/97353.html

- Honda Prelude: https://www.goauto.com.au/future-models/honda/prelude/honda-prelude-returning-to-australia-in-2026/2025-07-31/96971.html

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn Podcast, we take a look at whether the crucial new Volkswagen T-Roc marks a return to (some) form in the hotly contested small SUV segment, and Sanbib decides whether he will swipe right on an upgrade from his current model.

We also take a look at Volvo's new flagship, the stunning new ES90, and how a lack of piano black might turn out to be a competitive advantage in the executive car space.

Finally, we take another punt at the Carsales challenge, and discover that you really can own a design classic for under $25k.

Show notes:

- VW T-Roc: https://www.goauto.com.au/future-models/volkswagen/t-roc/updated-volkswagen-t-roc-debuts-in-europe/2025-08-28/97225.html

- Volvo ES90: https://www.goauto.com.au/new-models/volvo/ex90/volvo-prices-es90-for-australia/2025-08-29/97237.html

Suzuki is an enigmatic company. How can a brand that produces the Hayabusa superbike also produce such pedestrian, tinny cars? In this week's episode we discuss whether the new Fronx SUV has enough to change the equation for the Japanese brand. We also discuss GAC, another new Chinese brand and take our pick of genuine performance bargains under $40k.

Show notes:

- Suzuki Fronx: https://www.suzuki.com.au/vehicles/suv/fronx-hybrid/

- GAC: https://www.goauto.com.au/news/gac/chinese-marque-gac-locked-in-for-australia/2025-08-14/97119.html

This week on the Hook Turn podcast, we discuss Mercedes-Benz's latest desperate attempt to move stock of its EQ lineup of electric vehicles and Lexus' sexy new successor to the legendary LFA supercar. Finally, we place our bets in another iteration of the Carsales challenge - this time, our pick for an SUV under $15k.

Show notes:

-Mercedes cuts EQ prices: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/mercedes-benz-evs-discounted-by-up-to-almost-70000

-Lexus Sport Concept: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/lexus-sport-concept-previews-lfa-successor-may-be-an-ev

This week on the Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss the plight of one of the newest Chinese brands to enter the Australian market, Zeekr. We also predict whether Cupra's sexy new Terramar will be a hit locally (especially compared to the staid Tiguan) and then discuss our picks in the used EV market below $30k.

Show notes:

- Zeekr revises sales downwards: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/zeekr-australia-pulls-back-on-optimistic-sales-target

- Cupra Terramar: https://www.goauto.com.au/car-reviews/cupra/terramar/2025-cupra-terramar-review/2025-08-07/97051.html

This week on the Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss one of the biggest launches of the year - Kia's new Tasman ute. Can it overtake the Ranger and the HiLux? Can it propel Kia to new heights on the sales charts? And what about that rhino styling and small engine? We unpack all of this and more.

We also take our chances on what *interesting* car we'd buy given a $5k budget on Carsales, and discuss Lamborghini's epic new electrified supercar, the Temerario.

Show notes

- Kia Tasman: https://www.kia.com/au/cars/tasman/features.html

- Lamborghini Temerario: https://www.lamborghini.com/en-en/models/temerario#val-ht

Controversial to say the least, we discuss the new Outback and E-Outback and whether they can lead to further growth for the adventure focused Japanese brand.

Concerns about long-term durability and battery longevity remain a reason for high depreciation with EVs, but that doesn't stop us from taking our picks on the used EV market.

Finally, we discuss Porsche's admission that their business model has failed, and what that means for the future of the storied sports car brand.

Show notes

- Subaru Outback: https://www.subaru.com/2026-subaru-outback-wilderness

- Fiat 500e price cut: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/electric-fiat-abarth-500e-prices-slashed-by-upwards-of-20000

- Porsche's business model: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/porsche-ceo-blume-initiates-talks-another-savings-programme-2025-07-18/

We take a look at Hyundai's latest N car, the Ioniq 6 N, and discuss whether Mercedes' focus on efficiency with the new CLA will be enough to attract sales in a cutthroat segment of the market. The car rental space might be one of the last areas you'd think would be upended by the AI revolution, so has Hertz shot itself in the foot or is it a pioneer?

Show notes:

- Hyundai Ioniq 6 N: https://www.hyundai-n.com/en/models/n/the-all-new-ioniq-6-n

- Mercedes-Benz CLA: https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/vehicles/cla-class-of-its-own/

- Hertz AI scandal: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a65176049/hertz-ai-scan-rental-car-damage/

We discuss whether Mazda has shot itself in the foot by going touchscreen-only and delaying a hybrid option for the new CX-5. We also take a look at Bentley's new EV concept and recap Hülkenberg's inaugural podium at the British GP.

Show notes:

- New Mazda CX-5: https://www.mazda.com.au/mazda-news/all-new-mazda-cx-5-global-reveal/

- Bentley EXP 15 concept: https://www.bentleymedia.com/en/newsitem/1720-exp-15-design-vision-concept-a-story-reimagined-for-the-futur

- Hülkenberg gets a podium: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/early-promise-home-heartbreak-and-multiple-comebacks-hulkenbergs-f1-journey.7DGPKoEKQedsZyGdFO5kPC

We discuss the Amalfi, Ferrari’s new Roma successor, and at the other end of the market, chat about whether Mahindra’s new small SUV can really attract cost-conscious SUV buyers. Finally, we debate what’s next for Max Verstappen and preview the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Show notes:

- Ferrari Amalfi: https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/auto/ferrari-amalfi

- Mahindra XUV 3XO: https://www.mahindra.com.au/models/xuv3x0

- F1 British GP: https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2025/great-britain

We review the new F1 movie, discuss the ugly new Mercedes-AMG GT XX, and predict whether the rugged new Duster can really wipe the floor for Renault in Australia.

Show notes:

- F1 the Movie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F1_(film)

- Mercedes Concept AMG GT XX: https://mercedes-benz-media.co.uk/releases/1636

- Renault Duster: https://www.renault.com.au/vehicles/duster/